On Monday 2nd December, around 250 people, including comedians Mark Thomas and Rob Newman and Euro MP Caroline Lucas blocked off part of whitehall in London from 11 am until 4pm in a nonviolent die-in against the war and sanctions on Iraq. Entitled 'Warzone Whitehall', the action saw people dressed as war victims 'die' in the road in several places with banners, sound effects and supporters. Towards the end the police moved more forcefully to arrest around 35 protestors for obstructing the highway. Read full report; also see pre-event press release.

The action involved groups like Voices (In the Wilderness UK). Richard Byrne, Voices spokesperson said, "This is just the start. 2000 people in the UK have signed a pledge to engage in civil disobedience if this war starts". The action also came as anti-war and peace groups step up their campaign against militarism, with more events planned including 'Embrace the Base', a women's protest at spy base Menwith Hill on 12 December with a 'Blockade the Base' action the following day supported by CND (Menwith Hill will be central to the new planned US missile defence shield scheme); a Mass Weaptons Inspection of USAF Fairford on 14th December, and a Mass Nonviolent Blockade of Northwood Military Base in London on the Gulf war anniversary in January.

[Pictures 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5] [video]
[More reports ARROW , BBC via MWAW , CamSAW Press Release ]